City votes to move Christmas tree ceremony

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- At Wednesday night's Wilmington City Council meeting, Council decided to stop the city's annual lighting of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree.

The ceremony will be moved from the old tree at the Sweeney water plant to the Rotary Wheel at Greenfield Lake. The city says the old oak tree is no longer capable of holding lights.

The move would also mean a larger celebration coordinated by the rotary club beginning next year.

"I think that's a tremendous community effort and humanitarian effort on behalf of all of our people and I think it's going to be a great thing in the future so a new tradition begins," Mayor Bill Saffo said.

This year, the downtown Christmas tree on Water Street will be lit as well as a cedar at the Rotary Wheel.

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This is crazy! Since when is an oak tree a Christmas Tree? There is an actual pine tree in McDonough, NY that was initially lit in 1927 and continually has been lit every year - the tree is still alive and continues to be lit. The article says that the oak tree in Wilmington, NC was initially lit in 1928. Somebody needs to research their information before they take credit where credit isn't warranted!!!

Please, please don't give up on my tree, on others beautiful and loving oak tree. I was born and raised in Wilmington. The best moments of my life with my family were spent during the Christmas holiday at that beautiful loving tree. My sister and mom have passed on. My younger sister and 7 years ago and my mom just 2 years ago. My dad,brother and I are all that's left and it's never been the same for us. These memories are though. I'm hoping before the Christmas holidays is over to start new memories at that sacred lovable oak tree.

I would like to know what efforts the city has put into saving this tree. I am 44 years old and it has been a part of our Christmas tradition all my life. I live in TN now and for 26 years I've traveled to NC to see this tree. The last year that Santa was there we were able to leave earlier enough to get there and take pictures of my kids with him. I'm grateful for the memories and would love to be able to continue making them. The World's Largest Living Christmas Tree is not something that you can just replace. We live in a society that believes new is better and we forsake the things that have brought us to where we are. Wilmington don't give up on your history, your heritage - what can you do to try and save this one?